Race game apparatus



April 21, 1953 Filed Nov. 9, 1950 l. LEVENSTEIN RACE GAME APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR av J. Gamesa@ CA. SKL/a Exact.) -ro 5 April21,- 1953 l. LEVENSTEIN 2,635,877

RACE GAME APPARATUS Execud-ORS l. LEVENSTEIN RACE GAME APPARATUS April21, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 9, 1950 'NVE N -r Q R l S RAEL.LEVENSTEIN. DacEAsED.

5y Q GoLDeERG C-ASKLAR Ex Eeuw-QRS Patented Apr. 21, 1953 RACE GAMEAPPARATUS Israel Levenstein, deceased, late of New York, N. Y., byJoseph Goldberg, New York, and Carol Ann Sklar, Belle Harbor, N. Y.,executors Application November 9, 1950, Serial No. 194,766

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to sh race apparatus, and moreparticularly to the type in which live fish are employed.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the charactermentioned, of novel and improved construction, wherein the fish duringthe period of the race, are free to move as they desire, yet the personsin the contest can in a manner attempt to control the movements of theirrespective entries to urge them towards the goal. These urging effortsmay even cause the fish to perform differently than is desired, therebymaking it a game which is extremely interesting, exciting andstimulating and for some of the players quite provoking, however all infun for the contestants and spectators and always informative as to fishhabits and behavior.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sh race apparatus ofnovel and improved construction, utilizing but a single member in eachtransparent trough raceway, which serves as a starting gate, racewaycleaner and means to push the sh back to start position, after a race isfinished.

Another object hereof is to provide a race apparatus of novel andimproved construction, for racing fish or insects or other living thingscapable of self-locomotion, always protected from being harmed by anymoving parts of the mechanism; all said parts having automaticallylimited movements. '""Another object hereof is to provide a novel andimproved game apparatus of the type described, which is easy tounderstand, easy to play and efcient in carrying out the purposes forwhich it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosureproceeds. i "'In the accompanying drawings forming part `ofthisspecification, similar characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in all the views. j Fig. -1 is a front view of a game apparatus`embodying the teachings of this invention. Some parts in this View areshown diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a section taken at lines 2--2 in Fig. 1. Substantially, thisview is a side view of Fig. l including driving mechanism not shown inFig. l.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of mechanism within a raceway; the racewayitself being omitted tc attain clarity of illustration.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of what may be called afish returning member. together with associated components as well asone of the goal members, of which there is one in each raceway trough.Said fish returnliti 2 ing member has other important functions as willbe explained. This Fig. 4 is as seen from behind the raceway and is soshown in order to attain clarity of illustration. l r

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit which may beemployed for the operation of `this apparatus.

In the drawings, the numerals I5, I5 and I5" designate raceways whichare troughs made of glass, Luciteor other suitable material preferablytransparent, closed at the ends so that they may hold water for a livefish in each. of them. These raceways are mounted horizontally in spacedrelation on an upright board I6, or on other suitable framework. Allincidents of structure of said raceways being identical, parts relatedto raceway I5 will be designated by whole numbers. Corresponding partsassociated with the raceway I5 will be designated by similar numbersprime, and those associated with the raceway I5 will be designated bysimilar numbers double prime. So what is said for the raceway I5 shallbe deemed the same for the other raceways.

The numerals II and I8 denote horizontally positioned endless chains onsprockets I9 and 2B respectively; the sprocket I9 being on the sameshaft with a sprocket 2l, and the sprocket 20 being on the shaft 26 witha sprocket 22. The sprockets 23 and 24 are idlers. The sprockets 2| and22 are connected by an endless chain 25. Shaft 26 is controlled by anelectro-magnetically operated brake 2l, normally holding the shaft 26when not actuated, but releasing its hold on said shaft, whenl actuated.Interposed in said shaft 26, is what is .commonly known as a slip clutch28. Said shaft also carries the pulleys 29 and 30; one being connectedby a belt `to motor 3I, and the other being connected by a belt to themotor 32; the slip clutch 2S, being between said pulleys and thesprocket 22. A reduction gear box 33 may also be interposed in said.shaft 26 between said pulleys and the slip clutch.

Shown forward of the raceways is a carriage designated generally by thenumeral 34 associated with framework on which are mounted the trolleyrollers 35 and 36, positioned for movement on tracks 3l and 38respectively. The carriage is secured to the upper strands of bothchains Il and I3 by the elements II and I2 respectively, so that bar 4Uof said carriage will be vertical at any rest position and duringmovement of the chains Il and I8, upon rotation of the shaft 26.

What is hereinafter referred to as forward 3 movement shall be deemedmovement towards the goal 4| at the right hand side of the raceways, andwhat is referred to as reverse movement shall be deemed movement towardsthe starting end at the left hand side of the race- Ways, adjacent whichis mounted an electric motor 39 on which two switches 42 and 43 aremounted, whose respective operating arms 44 and 45 project to nearly thebottom of the raceway within the latter. The motor shaft 46 of motor 39is vertical, extends into the raceway and carries a pulley 41 near thebottom of the raceway, A slip clutch 48 is interposed in 'this shaft 46.The goal .piece 4l is a perforated `metal sheet partitioning the racewaya short distance from the closed right hand end, and presents .a concavequadrant surface facing thestarting end of the raceway. In the spacewithin the raceway, between the goal member 4| and .raceway end, is avertical shaft 49, carrying a pulley 59 near the raceways bottom. Anendless cable is mounted on the pulleys 41 and 50, and

passes through clearance holes in the -goal member 4| and in therespective switch voperating varms 44 and 45, one strand of said cablethrough each of said operating arms respectively, namely the strand |52through the operating arm -44 and the strand |5| through the operatingarm 45. A lure 52 in the shape lof a sh or other form as may be ldesiredis secured 'to cable strand |5| and is of a size to nearly ll the crosssection of the raceways interior.

Above each raceWay, the carriage bar 49 has ya fixed rod 53 extendinglacross the Araceways respectively. This rod carries a tube 54 which isfree for axial rotation thereon and for some longitudinal movementtherealong, Extending laterally from this tube is a perforated thinplate member 56, having a rubber edging 55 which contacts and wipes theraceway interior surface, when said plate member is swung `into theraceway to partition the latter, and the carriage 34 is moved.

A vertically positioned rod 51, longitudinally slidably mounted inbrackets t58 extending from the carriage bar 40, has a fixed pinVextending towards the raceways, one `at each raceway. Such pinassociated with the raceway |5 is designated by the numeral 59, andextends within the slot 69 of an arm 6| extending laterally :from andfixed on the tube 54. Itis evident that reciprocatory movement imparted-to vthe `rod 51 will cause the members 56, 56 and `53 to be swung intoand out Yof the raceways respectively. Dimensions and extent of movementare such that when inside the raceway, .the member 56 .is in a verticalplane partitioning the raceway, and when raised is substantiallyhorizontal above the raceway; the latter condition being shown vin Fig.l.

A block 62 is .xed at the bottom end yof rod 51, extending towardsthegoal end of the frame board I6. An arm 63 extends from said iblock insaid mentioned direction, and .is lpivoted there- Vto at 64. The shank65 of :a roller caster 66 is fixed near the free end of said arm 63.,with roller 61 extending downwardly for contact with cam member 68. `Arigid element 69 extends xed from the block 62, and acts as a stop forthe shank 65 when the said shank is upright, however permittingcounter-clockwise movement of arm 63 about pivot point 64. Y

The carriage bar 40 carries a fixed arm 10, which during carriagetravel, contacts the 'opermicro-switch 1| to open said switch 1|, alsoof the normally open micro-switch 12 to momentarily close said switch12, and of the normally closed micro-switch 13 to open said switch 13.Upon the opening of switch 1|, current is cut on from the motor 3| whichdrives the carriage 34 towards the goal end of the raceways. Uponopening of the switch 13., current is cut voff from the motor 32 whichdrives the said "carriage towards the starting end of the raceways. Uponvmomentarily closing of the switch 12, the players motors 39, 39 and 35can be operated by the players switches 14, 14 and 14 respectively.kEach of the players switches is a single pole `double throw switcharranged on a table or the like, in front of the game board |6, at whichtable (not shown) the players take their respective positions. 'As vsoonas a player takes a position, the attendant manually closes the switch15 or that akin thereto at such occupied position. The attendant alsomanually controls the main switch 16, which is a single pole doubleVthrow switch to operate the carriage movement. Switch 16 is so placedthat its movement to a contact `position is analogous to the directionof vthe carriage `movement effected. The players switches of the class14 are so placed that movement of .the operating members thereofrespectively, ,are analogous to the direction of movement of the luresas the players intend.

The numeral 11 designates a relay having one armature as 18 for each ofthe players motors respectively; each such armature being a single vpoleof a double throw switch respectively. All said armatures of relay 11move alike. The numeral 19 denotes a relay having two armatures and 8|,which may be deemed the double ,pole of a single throw switch 32. Thenumeral .83 designates a relay having two armatures 84 and 85 which maybe deemed the double pole of a 4single throw switch 86. The .numeral B1denotes a relay having twoI armatures 68 and 89 which may be deemed thedouble pole of a single throw switch 90.

Each strand of the cable 5| has secured thereon some means'to operatethe switches 42 and 43 respectively, a little vbefore the lure '52assumes its terminal positions with respect to the raceways. Such meansmay be the bead 9| on strand |5|, the lure 52 on strand |52, or in placeof the latter, a bead 92 on the Ylatter strand, if said lure is not tobe used as part of said mentioned means. The function of said beads orthe like is to intercept and shift the operating members 44 and 45respectively to open said switches. Switch 43 is opened by bead 92,while switch 42 is opened by bead 9|, at start and goal positions of thelure 52.

p At the start, positions of the various components of the apparatus areas follows. The carriage 34 is slightly ahead of the lure 52 near .thestarting end of the raceways. .Button 92 holds the switch 43 in opencondition. .Button 9| .is near the goal position. The switches 42, 1|and 13 are in closed condition. Switch 12 is invopen condition. Theattendants main .switch 16 and the switches akin to 15 are in opencondition. None of the relays is actuated, vAll motors are at rest. Theroller 61 is on surface 93, off the cam 63, ready to climb surface I4 ofsaid cam. Due to gravity, or the action of springs not shown, the rod 51has slid downward, and members 56 are in their respective .raceways, invertical position, as partitioning vanes thereating arms respectively,of the ,normallyV closed ,75 in respectively, acting as gates.

Also at the start condition, all switches akin to players control switch14, are closed at their respectively associated R marked switch point.The attendant drops a live fish, as for instance a gold iish 95, intoeach of the raceways, ahead of the lures but blocked by the vane members56 acting as gates. Players now taketheir positions at the playerscontrol switches. A11 switches akin to are closed by the attendant atal1 player-occupied positions only. These last mentioned switches areactually near the Amain switch 16, which the attendant now closes'at F,whereupon the relay 81 is actuated, closing the switch 90. Motor 3| willoperate to move the carriage 34 from the adjustable stops 96 at startingposition, towards the adjustable stops 91 at goal position. The brake 21is energized automatically to release hold of the drive shaft 26, uponexcitation of either motor. All` players motors as 39 remain inactiveuntil the switch 12 is momentarily closed when the bar 10 passes saidswitch as the carriage 34 travels towards the goal.

The players manipulate their respective switches akin to 14 so that themotors as 39that they control shall rotate in forward or reversedirections to similarly move the lure as 52 for urging the sh 95 to swimtowards the goal piece 4|. The players motors as 39 are of thereversible type, which run in one direction when current is applied toits terminals connected to conductor 9| and the switch 42, or in thereverse direction when current is applied to conductor 9| and the motorsterminal connected to switch 42.

The movement of the carriage 34 towards goal position is `comparativelyrapid and, as it so travels, the roller 61 rides up the slant surface I4and thence onto the horizontal top surface of the cam 68, whereupon therod 51 will be raised, and hence all vane members 56 will be swungupward and out of the raceways to horizontal position above saidraceways as shown in Fig. l. The fish 95 now have free access to swim tothe goal. As soon as the switch 12 is momentarily closed, the relay 19becomes energized, closing switch 82 which remains closed until theattendant opens the main switch 16. It is to be noted that the closingof the switch 82 causes the actuation of the relay 11, until which time,the motors as 39 could only be run for return movement of the lures 52.

The raceways are identified by numeral or otherwise, and correspondingnotations mark the players switches 14. As the respective sh reach thegoal, the attendant announces by calling` in succession the racewayidentication numerals in which the sh have reached the goal rst, secondand so on, until all or a lesser number than all of the iish reach thegoal, whereupon he sets the main switch into reverse position.

It is to be noted that when the carriage 34 approaches the goal, arm 10will cause switch 1| to become momentarily opened, thereby deenergizingthe relay 81, whereupon switch 90 will be opened and motor 3| will comevery soon to rest. At any rate, as its momentum lessens, the drive shaft26 will stop very soon after current is cut off from motor 3|, due tothe slipping action of the slip clutch 28.

During the carriage movement to the goal, the shank 65 carrying theroller 61 will be vertical and against stop element 69, because theforce action on member 63 will be for counterclockwise movement aboutaxis 64. When the said roller 61 reaches the drop 99 at the end of thecam 68rod 51 will fall,.and the` vanes as 56 will be swung downward `tovertical position as partitions within the respective raceways. Suchswingingimovement is setto begin so that the vanes wipe `the concavesurfaces `of the goal pieces 4| respectively, and if any of the sh 95had already arrived at the goalpiece 4|, it will be moved backward inthe raceway.` If such swinging action entering the vanes into theraceway occurs before any of the sh arrive at the goal, said vanesthereafter serve as the goal. i

At the end of the race when the attendant sets the main switch 16 into`reverse p-osition at its terminal marked R, the relay 83 becomesenergized, closing thereby the switch 86. Brake 21 releases itshold onthe drive shaft 26, and motor` 32 operates to` return the carriage 34 tostarting. position. i

Upon return movement of the carriage, the roller 61 when it hits surface99 of the cam 68, will cause arm 63 to move counterclockwise, and therod 51 will remain invits lowered position and hence the vanes 56 willremain in their` lowered position within the raceways, until thecarriage 34 is again given forward movement and shank 65 is made uprightwhen the rol1er61 again moves up on cam surface I4, and said shank 65 isup against the stop member 61. During return movement of the carriage,it is evident that the rubber edging 55 of the vanes 56 will wipe theraceway interiors clean, and that said vanes will push the fish back tostart position.

As soon as the master switch16 is opened, and while it is closed forreverse, meaning return movement of the carriage, the relay 19 isinactive, and likewise relay 11 is inactive. However, the armatures as18, coming back into contact with contact point 98,A close the circuitof the players motors for return of the lures, and stop when switch 43is opened by bead `92.

In the return movement of the carriage 34, larm 10 will cause switch 13to become opened, thereby deenergizing the relay 83, whereupon switch 86will be opened and motor 32 will come very soon to rest. Anyhow, as itsmomentum decreases, the drive shaft 26 will stop very soon after currentisr cut off from motor 32, due to the slipping action of the slip clutch28.

The return of the carriage to start position should be slow, and themotor 32 is so chosen, and is of sufficient power to have the wipingaccomplished. Slow return movement of the carriage is also desirable soas to avoid spilling water out of the raceways, and avoid any hurt tothe fish.

The players motors 39 and all relays are operated by a current of smallvoltage, say 10 or twelve volts, while the motors 3| and 32 are operatedfrom commercial power lines.

When the carriage 34 has returned to start position, the attendant opensthe switch 16 and the switches akin to 15. The switches 14 of theplayers are set in position for reverse movement of the players motors,and the game apparatus is ready for the next race.

The water in the raceways is of course dispensed with when the racers donot require same or Where water would be detrimental.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various Kapplicationswithout departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It istherefore intended and desired that the embodiment shown herein shall bedeemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall` coverall patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to thefollowing claims rather than to the specic description herein, toindicate the scope of this invention.

The claims are:

1. In a race game apparatus, a raceway having a iloor and longitudinalWalls from its starting end to its goal end; said raceway being adaptedfor a body capable of self-locomotion to move along therein, a carriagemounted for movement along substantially the full length of the raceway,means to move the carriage along the raceway, a vane carried on thecarriage and movable to a first position Within the raceway to partitionthe latter and serve as a gate at the starting end of the raceway aheadof the starting position for said body, and to serve as a means to pushsaid body in the raceway, away from the goal end to the starting end ofthe raceway upon return movement of the carriage; said vane beingmovable also to a second position whereby said raceway is unobstructedfor movement of said body therealong and means to move said vane fromone position to the other, automatically controlled by the movement ofthe carriage along the raceway, whereby said vane is moved to clear theraceway at about commencement of movement of the carriage away from thestarting end of the raceway, and then back into the raceway to partitionsame substantially from the time the carriage reaches its limit oftravel towards the goal end of the raceway and returns to its limit oftravel towards the starting end of the raceway and until the carriageagain commences to move towards the goal end of the raceway.

2. A race game apparatus as dened in claim 1, wherein the locus ofmovement of the vane between its limit positions on the carriage,determines an arc of concave surface towards the starting end of theraceway, commencing substantially from the floor of the raceway.

3. A race game apparatus as dened in claim l, including a memberpositioned at the goal end of the raceway, presenting a concave surfacetowards the starting end of the raoeway, commencing substantially fromthe oor of the raceway and wherein the locus of movement of the vanebetween its limit positions on the carriage, determines a similar arc,whereby on movement of the vane into the raceway when at the goal end ofthe raceway, said vane will wipe said concave surface of said memberpositioned at the goal end of the raceway.

4. A race game apparatus as dened in claim l, wherein the means to movethe `carriage includes a two speed device adapted to move the carriagetowardsthe goal end of the raceway at a comparatively high rate of speedand towards the starting end of the raceway at a comparatively slow rateof speed.

5. A race game apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means tomove the vane from one position to another on the carriage, includes acam means to move the vane to clear the raceway for free passage of thementioned body along the raceway, at about the commencement of movementof the carriage towards the goal end of the raceWay and maintain saidvane in such position during movement of the carriage until about whensaid carriage reaches the goal position, and then to move said vane inposition to partition the raeeway and maintain it so until the carriageagain moves from its rest position at the start end of the racewaytowards the goal end of the raceway.

6. A race game apparatus as dened in claim 1, wherein the racewayincludes transparent material along it so that the interior of theraceway is visible and wherein the perimeter of the vane is providedwith a resilient edging which contacts the raceway interior and wipessame when the vane partitions the raceway and the carriage is in motion.

JOSEPH GOLDBERG, CAROL ANN SKLAR Emecutors 'of the last will andtestament of Israel Leuenstein, deceased.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

